Bora Bora? Fiji?

In Dec. 2010, my husband and I would like to return to Bora Bora for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We honeymooned at the Hotel Bora Bora, but it is closed for remodeling. Can you suggest another hotel along the lines of Hotel Bora Bora? Also, we would like to go to Fiji for the first time. Can you also recommend a hotel or resort? BTW, we will be bring our two children, ages 21 and 23 with us.

We will be flying from California, so can you advise us if we should first go to Bora Bora or Fiji?

1.)     Hotel Bora Bora: This was a very special hotel that had the highest of customer service. The bungalows were few and very well spaced, all with an ocean view--even the garden bungalows. The resort was torn down and is anticipated to be rebuilt under the same brand of Aman Resorts. I do not have a date or any confirmation of this as of yet.

2.)     There is not another resort in French Polynesia that matches the traditional and boutique feel of this resort. That said, the Private Ocean Front Pool Villas at the St. Regis are very private and are similar in feel to the beach fares of the Hotel Bora Bora. These are the ones that have a view to the ocean and are separated by view from the rest of this larger resort. You do not notice the size of the resort from your villa and so you have that feeling of being in a small resort. Once you step outside, you do have the facilities of a lovely resort. The service of the St. Regis is, of course, on par with that of the Hotel Bora Bora.

3.)     There is another resort in the islands that offers a similar feel with their beach bungalows although they are not as private as those at the St. Regis, and that is Le Taha’a Private Island and Spa. This is on the island of Taha’a. It, too, is on its own private small island as is the St. Regis, and while a bit larger than the Hotel Bora Bora, the beach bungalows are lovely, private, and luxurious. That said, the Bora Bora View Over Water Bungalows are very beautiful and with only 8 of them you have quite a bit of privacy. There is great snorkeling here as there was at the Hotel Bora Bora, better than at the St. Regis. The service is good but does not always reach the best here as it does at the St. Regis. It often does but I have had clients with issues here.

  
4.)     Fiji: There are several resorts that I would suggest in Fiji that are similar in feel and service to the Hotel Bora Bora: Wakaya Club; Namale; Vatulele; Royal Davui

The reason I suggest these resorts in Fiji is that they are all smaller, secluded, with high customer service levels, and they give you the experience of that traditional feel of Fiji and the South Pacific Islands, all of which were trade marks of the Hotel Bora Bora.
 
Also, I should let you know that there are no flights between Fiji and French Polynesia. You must fly to New Zealand and then back to the other island. Also, where one travels to first or ever would be dictated by the time of year or season of travel. I would not travel to the Fiji Islands between the months of January through April as this is the height of the hurricane season. French Polynesia tends to be fine this time of year although you can get the odd storm with lots of rain and wind. The best months of travel to both islands would be May through November as the trade winds are established and keep the humidity down a bit.
 
The geology of these two island groups are very different. French Polynesian islands are fully encircled by reef with breaks in it to flush the lagoons out twice a day. The waves of the ocean crash on this outer reef and leave the waters of the lagoon to be mostly flat calm, clear (50’ to 80’ visibility standard) and warm with temps being right around 80 degrees year round. Fiji on the other had does not have the reef fully encircling the islands. The protected beaches are usually quiet. That said, the visibility is less than in French Polynesia unless you go out to the reef where there is not bottom sand or silt stirred into the water by the waves. The water temp tends to be lower but not cold like here in North America. 
  
 --Kleon Howe

The excellence of Kleon's info reminds me of the advantages that Wendy's travel specialists can give travelers planning an important trip. Check out all her specialists in our August issue. And of course, if you want more advice like that above, call Kleon at 888-294-3598.